X60T (6365) and Lenovo-branded MC8775 (IBM FRU 42T0933)

[gdog24]

I purchased an X60T with the intent of using it overseas as well as in the US. Color me silly, but I also purchased the expensive Cingular/ATT international data plan. Turns out that my X60T was built with a Lenovo-branded MC8765 card which only provides HSDPA in the US.

Using Zenders edited BIOS, I was able to get a Lenovo-branded MC8775 (FRU 42T0933) from an Ebay seller fully functional, with alt-F5 power control and Access Connections. Here are the steps I followed:

1. Replace BIOS. In my case this required upgrading to 1.12 so I could downgrade to Zender's 1.11.

2. Use Vista Control Panel - Programs and Features to remove Sierra Wireless HSDPA MiniCard. Physically remove the card.

3. Download and install the Cingular Wireless drivers for the X61T http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67290

4. While I was at it I updated Access Connections with prerequiistes.

5. Install the card.

At this point AT&T communications manager and Sierrra Watcher worked fine, but Access Connections could not see the card! That appears to be because I had previously installed profiles with the older (MC8765) card.

6. Create new access connections profile, specifiying Wireless Wan for Type of Network Connection. This should show the "Sierra Wireless HSDPA Network Adapter".

That was all I had to do.


mod edit: moved to X6-series forum from T6-series forum.

[lightstrum]

I have the x60t with a verizon card, I have never used it because I want to use ATT- does anybody know if I do what is explained here it will work with my x60t?

[gdog24]

First I used Lenovo update to get everything up to date, including Access Connections 4.52 with prerequisites, and BIOS version 1.12. I was then able to install a Lenovo-branded Sierra MC8765 (Lenovo FRU 42T0804) without updating the BIOS, as follows:

1. Install Cingular wireless Wan adapter software for X60T
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67290

Don't forget to run the MSI installer from C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WWANUMTS\Driver

2. Shutdown laptop, remove MC5720 EVDO card (Lenovo FRU 41W1177) and replace with MC8765 (Lenovo FRU 42T0804). The AUX antenna lead becomes unused (I covered it with tape).

3. Power up and install drivers for mini card, I had to once again run the .MSI file in C:;\DRIVERS\WIN\WWANUMTS\Drivers, followed by a restart.

4. At first I couldn't get Fn=F5 to see the card. I fixed that by turning off and then back on the "all radios power off" switch.

5. Create a new Access Connections profile using the wireless HSDPA card.

6. Delete the old Access Connections profile that used the previous card.

Note that this because this is a Lenovo-branded card, Fn-F5 and Access Connections work fine. This is a fine configuration for the US, but only offers GPRS and EDGE in Europe.

Next I installed a Lenovo-branded Sierra MC8775 (FRU 42T0933). This card works well in Europe as well as the US. Once again I started with Lenovo system update, including the latest (1.12) BIOS. Then I back-leveled the BIOS to 1.11 using Zender's hacked BIOS.

1. Install Cingular wireless Wan adapter software for X61T (note X61T, not X60T).
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67955

Don't forget to run the MSI installer from C:\DRIVERS\WIN\WWANUMTS\Driver

If you first installed a MC8765, uninstall its software first with the control panel.

2. Shutdown laptop, remove MC5720 EVDO card (Lenovo FRU 41W1177) and replace with MC8775 (Lenovo FRU 42T0933). The AUX antenna lead becomes unused (again, I taped the lead).

3. Power up and install drivers for mini card, I had to once again run the .MSI file in C:;\DRIVERS\WIN\WWANUMTS\Drivers, restart

4. Access Connections got confused (I think because I was replacing a MC8765 with an MC 8775), so I had to uninstall and re-install Access Connections to get everything working.

5. Create a new Access Connections profile using the wireless HSDPA card.